Echoes of the Lost Elf-Chapter 45 - 44 : Exams

Historias returned to his room, only to find someone already waiting for him. His gaze flickered with mild irritation as he shut the door behind him.

"Why does everyone keep getting in without permission?" he sighed, rubbing his temples.

Valak, leaning casually against the window frame, smirked. "You said we'd talk."

"That didn't mean you had to break in," Historias replied dryly. "How did you get in, anyway?"

Valak flexed his wings slightly. "I flew in."

Historias pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course. Demons and their wings."

Valak let out a small chuckle before his expression turned serious. "Where have you been for the past 1,000 years?"

"The Everglen Palace," Historias answered without hesitation.

"Of course," Valak muttered, pacing slightly. "And how long has Aldren known about your whereabouts?"

"600 years."

Valak froze mid-step, his head snapping toward Historias. "That bastard knew for 600 years and never breathed a word?" He exhaled sharply. "I should've known. Damn elf is tighter-lipped than a vault."

He crossed his arms. "How did he even find you?"

Historias merely shrugged. "I have no idea. No matter how many times I ask, he refuses to tell me. I suspect he enjoys keeping secrets just to irritate me."

Valak scoffed. "That does sound like Aldren." He studied Historias for a moment before tilting his head. "Fine. Then why did you come to Castellas? And as a student, no less? You, of all people, playing along with their system?"

Historias leaned against his desk, his expression unreadable. "Because I got tired of staying there."

Valak stared at him, unimpressed.

A few seconds passed before Historias sighed. "Alright, fine. A few days before the Castellas entrance exam, some children stumbled upon the Everglen Palace. They were being chased by a horde of goblins and, in their attempt to escape, accidentally triggered a warped space that transported them directly to my domain."

Valak arched an eyebrow. "And?"

"I asked them who they were, and they told me they were heading to Castellas for the entrance exam. They stayed at the palace for a few days before I teleported them to the academy myself."

Valak's eyes narrowed. "So what's the problem?"

Historias' gaze darkened. "I never saw them at the academy. I checked the records. They never enrolled."

A tense silence followed.

Valak's arms slowly lowered. "You're serious?"

"Completely."

Valak exhaled sharply, his usual smug demeanor vanishing. "Do you remember their names?"

Historias nodded. "Lyrian Ironthorn, Reyna Aster, Darian Albrecht, Gareth Ironwood, Elara Nighwalker, and Cailan Voss." He listed them one by one, his voice steady, but his expression clouded with thought. "They were the ones who stumbled upon Everglen."

Th𝗲 most uptodate novels are published on ƒгeewёbnovel.com.

Valak's expression darkened, his crimson eyes narrowing. "You're telling me six kids, who were supposed to be here, just vanished?"

"Not just vanished," Historias corrected, leaning against his desk with arms crossed. "It's as if they were erased. No records, no mention of their names, nothing. As far as the academy is concerned, they never existed."

Valak ran a hand through his silver-streaked hair, his wings twitching slightly. "That's... not normal. Even if they failed the exam, there should still be some trace of them in the system. A failed application, a record of their participation—hell, even dorm assignments get documented before students arrive. But you're saying there's nothing?"

"Precisely." Historias' gaze sharpened, his usual nonchalant demeanor giving way to a rare seriousness. "Which raises the question—where are they?"

Valak folded his arms, his fingers tapping against his bicep in thought. "And you're certain they were planning to enroll?"

"They spoke of it constantly while staying at the Everglen Palace. They trained, studied, and even debated which classes they were most excited for. There was no doubt in their minds. Then suddenly... nothing."

Valak exhaled sharply, his tail flicking once in agitation. "That's not just weird, that's suspicious. If something happened to them, you'd think someone would've noticed. Families, friends—someone would be asking questions."

"That's what concerns me," Historias admitted, his fingers idly tracing the edge of his desk. "Six students don't just disappear without a trace. Either they never made it here, or someone ensured they were erased."

Valak's wings shifted slightly, his brows furrowing deeper. "You think someone targeted them?"

"It's one possibility. Or perhaps they stumbled upon something they weren't meant to. Either way, I intend to find out."

A tense silence lingered between them, the weight of the revelation settling in. Valak rubbed his temple. "Great. Just what I needed—another mystery." He let out a sharp sigh. "*Alright, I'll see what I can dig up. Maybe there's something beyond the academy's records.

"Appreciated," Historias said, already deep in thought.

Valak clicked his tongue. "Just try not to get yourself erased next, alright?"

Historias smirked. "I'll do my best."

With that, Valak turned toward the window. "You sure do know how to find trouble, old man."

"And yet, you keep showing up to help me," Historias replied smoothly.

Valak shot him a glare before leaping onto the windowsill. "Yeah, yeah."

...........

The classroom was filled with idle chatter as students settled into their seats, some still groggy from early morning training. However, the moment Professor Elias Duskbane entered, the room fell into an uneasy silence.

With an air of cold elegance, the vampire professor strode to the front, her deep crimson robes flowing behind her. Her piercing ruby eyes swept across the room, her mere presence demanding attention.

"Students," she began, her voice smooth and authoritative, "your Term 1 Theory Exams will commence in one month's time."

A collective groan rippled through the class. Some students slumped in their chairs, while others exchanged panicked glances.

"Silence." Her tone cut through the noise like a blade. "These exams will assess your comprehension of Magic Theory & Arcane Studies, Elemental Mastery, Combat Tactics, Runic Studies, History of Eldara & Magical Civilizations, and Alchemy & Potion Crafting. Those who fail to meet expectations will receive additional coursework—believe me, you do not want that."

Historias, reclining ever so slightly in his seat, merely listened with a look of detached amusement. Exams were nothing to worry about.

That is—until he noticed one particular subject.

History of Eldara & Magical Civilizations.

A subject that might as well have been written in a foreign language to him. A thousand years of events he had no knowledge of. Wars, fallen empires, shifting alliances—all lost to him.

Adriana leaned toward him, whispering with a smirk, "You look too calm for someone who's going to fail history."

He sighed, "I take offense to that."

"Am I wrong?" she teased.

He gave a graceful shrug. "History is merely the record of past events. I would much rather focus on shaping the future."

Adriana snorted. "That won't help you on the exam."

Before he could reply, Professor Elias' sharp gaze landed on him.

"Vaelcrest."

Historias met her crimson eyes with his usual composed expression. "Yes, Professor?"

"You will be taking these exams seriously, I presume?" Her voice was cool, but something in her tone suggested she was aware of his... knowledge gap.

He smiled faintly. "Naturally."

She studied him for a moment before moving on.

A soft chuckle came from his side. Zephyr, always one to enjoy the misfortunes of others, leaned over with an impish grin. "Hey, want my history notes?"

Historias glanced at him, considering.

Perhaps history wasn't so terrifying after all.

As soon as Professor Elias Duskbane left the room, the tension in the air eased. Students immediately broke into murmurs—some complaining about the exams, others already planning study sessions.

Historias, still reclining in his seat, exhaled softly before turning to Zephyr.

"Alright," he said smoothly, "help me out with history, and I'll help you with the rest."

Zephyr blinked. "Wait, seriously?" He had been expecting some smug remark or a lazy excuse, not an actual request for help.

Adriana grinned. "Wow. Historias Vaelcrest, the prodigy himself, actually admitting he needs help. Mark this day in history."

He gave her a dry look. "It is precisely because I wish to avoid failure that I am seeking alternative solutions."

Zephyr smirked. "Alternative solutions? You mean studying?"

"No, I mean delegating responsibilities efficiently."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "You're seriously bad at history?"

Historias sighed. "I've been... preoccupied these past few years."

Leon laughed. "What, did you live under a rock?"

Historias gave him a bland look. "Something like that."

Leon leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a grin. "You know, the only reason this guy ranked second in the entrance exam is because he flunked the history section so badly. Even with a perfect score in the practical, they had to drop him to second place."

The class went silent for a moment before a few chuckles broke out.

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Wait, seriously? How bad are we talking?"

Leon smirked. "Bad enough that even with full marks in the practical, it couldn't save him."

Historias let out a slow sigh, resting his chin on his hand. "Must you announce it so enthusiastically?"

Leon clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Just making sure everyone knows your one weakness."

..........